Categories
Darts

Dart history 101: Invention, purpose, modern tips, & more

Darts: the little missiles with some big history. Playing darts is a great way to pass time. Whether thrown traditionally at pubs, as recreation across the world in people’s backyards and basements, or professionally in national competitions, it’s a game of finesse that can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime. 

When talking about the history of darts, there’s been many references to the medieval times from archers, crossbowmen and spear throwers shortening their weapons into small darts, so let’s see what this is all about.

IS IT A DART MYTH, MISCONCEPTION, OR TRUTH?

References to Henry VIII a Tudor King of England receiving a set of ornamented darts for use for games from Anne Boleyn isn’t exactly true. While he did receive such a gift, these were short throwing spears not used for games. 

These small throwing spears would have been thrown from horseback into wild boar or pigs and not used for a target game. Although these shortened spears could kill directly, it is more likely to injure or create a wound that would not heal rendering the prey into submission.

If rumor holds true that the game of darts had its origin during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, it is believed that he told his archers to practice their arching skills all year round so they would be sharp and ready for battle at any time. It’s been said that while practicing outside, some archers, instead of shooting, started throwing their arrows as a means of fun. Maybe the thinking was, “anyone can shoot accurately lets see who can throw accurately.”

But, again, we don’t know for certain. After all, some individuals say that the earliest reference to darts as a game can be traced to France while others credit England to being the home of darts (which we’ll address in the next section).

Related reading(s): A Brief History of Darts!, Learn the Darts History from Medieval Times

SO, HOW DID MODERN DARTS BEGIN?

  • The Medeival era

  • Brian Gamlin

  • A military pastime

  • Tree trunks

Darts and the Medieval Era

In case you couldn’t tell, direct evidence for hand throwing darts into a target for a game or practice has been hard to find — was it the French or the English who started the pastime? The bulk majority says that the development of darts as a game originated in England during the medieval era in the 1300s. So, for the sake of consistency, we’ll stick with England.

Brian Gamlin & the Modern Dartboard

The invention of modern darts can be attributed to a carpenter from Lancashire by the name of Brian Gamlin in 1896; he invented the dartboard numbering layout of today. The original darts were also made from wood (so it makes sense that it was invented by a carpenter).

Brian Gamlin’s numbering sequence layout was specifically created with the intention to penalize inaccuracy. Although many papers were written about the billions of different dartboard numbering sequences that could be devised with 20 numbers, it is widely accepted that Gamlin’s numbering sequence layout is the closest to perfect randomness you will ever find. (Gamlin died in 1903 before he could patent his idea).

The original darts is said to have had a metal point and the flights were made from bird feathers (mainly turkey feathers). However, dart history goes back much farther than turkey feathers — gobble, gobble!

Related reading(s): Who Invented Darts? (The Origins & History Of The Game)

Darts and the Military

Darts began as a military pastime originating in England during the medieval era in the first couple of decades of the fourteenth century. The tale goes that between battles, bored soldiers would sit in the trenches and compete by throwing spearheads and other sharp objects at the bottoms of upturned wine casks as a “target.” 

Officials encouraged soldiers to participate since it was an effective way to practice their aim and throwing skills. And, naturally, as the pastime spread amongst the rank and file, soldiers began competing in an attempt to prove their moral fiber. 

And here’s an interesting fact about the word target: the bottom of a wine or beer barrel was called a “butt” which originated from archery from the French word “butte” which means “target.” (The more you know!)

Darts and the tree trunks

After a while, soldiers moved on from hitting the bottom of upturned wine casks and started using cross-sectioned tree trunks as targets. And, as it turns out, the tree trunks own growth rings, and radial cracks offered the first template for the sections that would eventually appear on the sport’s modern-day dart boards.

Darts would progressively change over hundreds of years until the turn of the nineteenth century when it began to approximate the game we all know and love.

BASIC TIPS & RULES OF THE GAME

  1. Know that every dart board is the same. Each board is numbered from 1 – 20 in non-sequential order around the board. You play darts by throwing a small dart onto different parts of the board, counting your points as you go. 

  1. The board is split into distinct sections with points associated with that section. If a dart lands in the outer green or red sections, the thrower scores double that section’s number of points. If a dart lands in the inner small green or red sections, the thrower scores triple that section’s number of points. (EX: if you land inside the double ring under 18, you would score 36 points)

  1. The most common form of the game is simply known as “01.” Objective: Each player must reduce his score down to zero. Why is it called “01”? The title refers to the fact that each player always starts a game with a score that ends in “01.”

  2. To start the game and see who goes first, each player throws a dart. The person who gets closest to the double bull gets to throw first.

WANT MORE DART INFO?

Check out these related article(s) below for more dart tips & tricks

Categories
Air Hockey Darts Foosball

The Most Basic Guide To Winning 5 Popular Games: Billiards & More

Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games Guide To Winning Popular Games

Guide To Winning Popular GamesIf you’ve ever wondered how to win some of the most popular games in the gaming world (or at least not lose drastically) then you’ve come to the right place. At Games For Fun, you know we love a good game of, well, anything! Even our facilities that occupy 26,000 square feet are filled with nothing but game room supplies, accessories, and repair parts. We’re serious about our games. But is it really just fun and games when you’re always the one losing

Today, the Games For Fun team will be discussing techniques, common mistakes, and general guidelines for winning (or losing) popular games from air hockey to table tennis. More specifically, we’re going to talk about a top mistake and a top tip that could either make or break your winning chances for a variety of games. Rocky theme song…cued. Let’s get to winning!

Mistakes To Lose Any Game, Tricks To Win Any Game

We recognize that playing a game can only be so fun if you don’t really know what you’re doing. How is Billy able to execute a bank shot every time we play a game of billiards and how come every time I throw a dart, it lands nose-first into the ground two feet in front of me? We hear your concerns, young grasshopper, and the Games For Fun team is going to address how you can successfully win any game in this article (A.K.A get better at winning any game or increase competitive skills).

Billiards

The game with the cue stick and cue ball.

Having been in the billiards industry for 35 years, we’re familiar with common mistakes in billiards. What would we say is the most common mistake a person can make while playing billiards?

👎 Don’t raise or drop the cue! Regardless if you are a beginner or expert, every billiard player learns quickly that angle is everything. In order to get the perfect shot, you must have your cue set up properly. An unleveled cue will result in an inaccurate aim. Raising or dropping your cue stick before shooting is going to alter your precision; it’s important to keep it even and balanced throughout your shot. One way to ensure you don’t make this mistake on a particularly tough angle is by using a bridgehead.

👍 One of the most widely accepted methods for bank shots uses the diamonds on the table—the series of light-colored dots running down the rails of the table. Keep in mind that pockets are also considered diamond markers. These “diamonds” help you visualize the angle at which you need to take your bank shot, increasing your accuracy and consistency. Plus, they’re easy to use, no matter where on the table you’re playing. The object in using these diamonds is to aid in making mirrored angles. In other words, if you shoot the object ball into a diamond at a 45-degree angle, it should bounce off the rail at the same angle but in the opposite direction. As long as you shoot straight and with adequate speed, you’ll perfect this move with ease.

Air Hockey

The game with the table and the puck.

👎 Don’t have a defensive stance! According to this article, leaning your shoulders forward and your torso over the table on defense is by far the most common error in air hockey. In the article, it’s estimated that 80 percent of players, across all skill levels, have incorrect stances on defense. The reason leaning over the table is such a bad mistake is because you won’t be able to block certain shots effectively because forward leaning makes moving backward more difficult. Blocking the shot must be the first priority, but blocking is most easily achieved when you have proper defensive mechanics, which includes being able to move freely.

👍 Hitting the puck off either side of the table instead of trying to make a straight shot is a great trick to increase your chances of scoring. It’s a matter of mathematics and angles. Hitting the puck off the edge of the table right in the center of the table is bound to angle the puck toward the goal. Of course, you have to take into consideration whether your opponent’s hand is blocking the goal or not. Still, the chances of scoring will be increased.

Table Tennis

The game with the paddles and the small lightweight ball.

👎 Sometimes, you just have to let go a little bit! What we mean is, gripping the paddle too tight is not gonna help in your efforts to win in a game of table tennis. Because your racket-hand-arm is stiff, you essentially lose control which results in missed balls or opportunities.

👍 You have to carefully watch your opponent’s racket when it makes contact with the ball. Based on the direction your opponent’s racket is moving, you can determine how to angle your racket to compensate. Check out Newgy for a more detailed breakdown of how to properly gauge your opponent and act defensively in a game of table tennis (AKA ping pong).

Foosball

The game with the miniature people and the small ball.

👎 Don’t shoot the ball too soon in an attempt at speed! Especially if you haven’t actually completed the full lateral movement. When you practice the pull shot, you are practicing to get the maximum speed at the maximum lateral movement. But it’s important to note that the speed comes from completing the entire shot stroke as fast as possible, not by short-cuts.

👍 Increase your defense by holding two handles (rods) together instead of one. If you learn to move two of your defense handles together, that will make it hard on your opponent to score. Try using your pinkie and thumb on your left hand to play with your entire defense unit (meaning your 2 defense handles). Make sure your players don’t overlap, spread them out with small gaps between them, and you’ll have the defense of a premier league soccer team. It won’t be easy to master at first, but when you get used to it, you literally become a foosball boss.

Darts

The game with the circular target hoisted on the wall with the, well, darts.

👎 Don’t lunge forward with your whole body! This is as straightforward as it gets. We know the desire to “aim” with your whole body is natural, but fight that desire! When you lunge forward, you greatly hinder the accuracy of your throw. Think of lunging forward as the equivalent to trying to accurately shoot a rifle while moving it.

👍 Know your dominant eye and hand. This might sound like a no-brainer, but aiming a dart requires a good amount of hand-eye coordination. Most of us are aware of your dominant hand, but when it comes to your dominant eye, that could be a bit more tricky because it isn’t something we think about often. I mean, how often do you need to do something with one eye? Nonetheless, this is important for winning a game of darts. Dart Sharp gives this good piece of advice: If you don’t know which eye is dominant then try throwing three darts with each eye closed in turns. The eye that you struggle to keep shut is your dominant eye.

Do You Want To Be A Winner?

Games For Fun has been in the game since 1984 so we know a little something about gaming, winning, and losing. Next time you’re in an arcade (hello, post-quarantine socializing) and want to win every popular game in that place so that you can become the popular game, remember our top mistake and top trick for each game! Next time you’re at home and you really, really want to prove to your older brother, Billy, that you can play a game of billiards and actually strike the ball without pulling a muscle, remember our top mistake and top trick.

Of course, we recognize that when it comes to anything, practice makes perfect. But practicing while making common mistakes is counterproductive. That’s why we’ve provided this ultimate guide to winning every game—it’s helpful to be aware of common mistakes so you can avoid them and practice the techniques that you know will grant you success.

If you’re curious about our inventory, product sales, or our rental items, we invite you to reach out to us with your inquiries. Our staff would be happy to help you find the perfect game for your home and can offer tips and tricks. We serve folks in the Inland Empire, but if you happen to not be in the area, don’t worry. Just give us a call at (909) 885-3604 and we’ll answer any questions you may have!

Categories
Darts

Factors to Consider When Buying a Dart board

buying a dart boardDart boards are everywhere. From your favorite bar to your garage-turned-game room, this versatile game is the perfect accompaniment to any Friday night hangout. So, if you’re looking for a simple, yet entertaining addition to your recreation space, you’re sure to find it in a dart board. In this article, we’ll discuss the best dart boards for your space!

Buying a dart board can be a little tricky…

Whether you’re looking to facilitate some fierce competition or to entertain guests with a universally-loved pass time, a dart boards is just what you need. But, when you’re ready to make a purchase, you may find that there is an overwhelming number of kinds of boards. They range significantly in quality and price, so it’s essential to know just what you want. The first decision with which you’ll be faced is if you prefer a bristle or an electric board.

Buying a dart board concerning Bristle Dart Boards vs. Electronic Dart Boards:

  • Bristle Dart Boards:

These boards are reminiscent of the traditional ones you’ll find in pubs and taverns across England, where the game began. So, if you’re looking for a more authentic play, this is the board for you. They are typically used for tournaments and are best suited for those who are serious about their dart play.Despite their name, bristle boards aren’t actually made of bristles. Rather, they are composed of sisal or hemp which fix themselves upon being struck. The darts used are unique, as well. They are made with a steel tip and a body made of tungsten or brass. That’s why these darts are certainly not toys and should be handled with care. However, their weighted feel provides a more authentic playing experience.

  • Electronic Dart Boards:

Electronic dart boards offer several unique options to fit your particular needs and wants. They come with various features and in several styles and sizes, making it an excellent choice for pro players and beginners alike. These are typically made of plastic and are covered in tiny holes in which a dart will stick upon making a precise hit. When this occurs, the board will send a message to the internal computer to calculate a score.Upon choosing which type of board best suits your needs, you’ll also need to consider the variants of each kind! We know this may seem a bit overwhelming– perhaps a bigger decision process than you were anticipating. That’s why we’ve outlined the different factors to consider when buying a dart board that’s right for you. We’ll begin with a bristle dart board.Contrary to the bristle dart boards, these come with plastic-tipped darts, making these a bit safer of an option. However, if you’d prefer a steel tip for a more genuine playing feel, you can find these as well for your electric board.

Factors to consider when buying a bristle dart boards: 

  1. The best bristle dart boards are made with sisal fibers rather than the hemp alternative. Sisal is a very durable material with high-density fibers and a self-healing ability. This means that your dart boards will not only last longer but that these small fibers will heal up quickly when impacted by a dart. Sisal fibers are especially crucial if you’re buying for tournaments or any serious play.
  2. It is important to select a board with the right density and depth. If these are either too high or too low, it will impact the quality of your games. This will also ensure that a dart can fully penetrate the fibers upon impact, thus avoiding bounce outs. With a lower bounce-out rate, your games’ scoring will be more accurate.
  3. Consider the wiring of the dart boards. Each bristle board will come with some sort of wiring. This separates the central section of the dart boards from the outer fringes and should be of high quality so to avoid bounce outs. Wiring makes a difference in the quality of your board, as well as the precision of each play.
  4. Choose a board with a bullseye that has a blade surface. This type of surface will prevent bounce-outs when accurate scoring matters most. They also offer each player a higher surface area for play to increase their chances of scoring.
  5. If you’re a pro player, you might want a pro trainer board. These kinds of boards will include features like doubles and ultra-slim trebles. Make sure also to have high-grade sisal material and a board that is staple-free.

Factors to consider when buying an electric dart boards:

  1. Consider how many games the board is programmed for. One of the best parts of having an electric board is the number of different games they provide. If you’re the kind of player that’s always looking for a new way to play darts, an electric board with plenty of game options is the one for you!
  2. What number of players will you most often have? Consider this when buying your electric board as some boards can accommodate more players than others. And though you can, of course, score manually, automated scorekeeping is a convenient feature of the electric board.
  3. Ensure that the surface of the board is of high quality. The surface of an electric board is made of tiny holes in which your darts will attach as the board computes your score. Sometimes though, if these holes are too widely spaced, this can impact the bounce-out rate of your darts. That’s why it’s important to choose a board with thin segment dividers to reduce the prevalence of bounce-outs.
  4. Make sure that the buttons on a dart board are not susceptible to being hit. Imagine, in the middle of a game, accidentally hitting the off-button and losing your entire game! Check for these sorts of details for your best game and a board that you love.
  5. Consider how noisy a board is. Some of the sound effects can be quite loud, so it is helpful to have the ability to control the volume or the option to turn it off completely.

We understand that no matter the tips and tricks you take into consideration, buying a dart board with so many feature options can be challenging. That’s why we at Games for Fun are here for you! Come by our San Bernardino location today for this versatile and ever-entertaining game, and we’ll help you make a choice that’s right for you!

Categories
Air Hockey Darts Foosball Fun Pool Shuffleboard

Game On: Four Companies’ Killer Office Break Rooms

A lot has changed since the days of the cutthroat rigidity of the corporate world.  We are seeing companies take a softer approach and putting their attention to offering relief for an overworked or overstressed team. In order for employees to be fully engaged, motivated, and productive during the entire day, they need to have a balance of work and play.

One tactic that companies are using to create this balance is through their office game rooms. Implementing games inside offices may sound like a waste of time, but hard-working employees know that momentary game of ping pong or pool is just a few steps away.  


Businesses are set on finding top talent by creating a workplace that projects a sense of creativity and company culture.

Check out how these companies enhance company morale through their fun office break room ideas:

Airbnb

office

With over 300,000 listings worldwide and over 10 million nights booked, it’s no mystery that Airbnb’s break room culture contributes to their success. These employees enjoy a ping pong table, weekly yoga classes, and a kitchen outfitted with a chef who cooks lunch every day. Having games such as ping pong helps employees learn how to work together in a relaxed and fun manner. They are building team skills without the stress of daily work tasks.

Taboola

office

Taboola cares about cultivating a rich culture for the company and its employees; so much so that it has appointed an internal committee to oversee the assembly of fun office events on a monthly basis. Employees can escape from their busy work days and shoot some hoops with their arcade-like basketball hoop.  Don’t forget that kegerator either!

DHL

office

The interior of DHL’s office is a combination of both elegant and modern employee-friendly spaces. To match the office rooms, their game rooms are neatly organized with their brand colors and games such as darts, foosball, and video games. If employees don’t feel like playing an action-packed game, they can unwind on a soft bean bag.

Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report’s vision for their office blends the culture and lifestyle of their followers as well as the teams they cover- blurring the lines between fan and celebrity, team and spectator. With a plethora of games such as ping pong, foosball, and air hockey, employees can immerse themselves in a creative space that will carry over into their work. This type of break room builds exciting moments that evoke the importance of exploration and team involvement.

Unique break rooms in the office that are created for fun that are branded and authentic don’t happen by accident; they take intentional planning and design. Simply adding a game table may not be enough, and without careful design things may come off looking unprofessional. But done right, a game room could inject your workspace with the startup vibe we all strive for, help grow a sense of community and attract and retain talent.

Games For Fun supplies many Southern California companies with games for their office break rooms. Stop by our showroom in San Bernardino today or give us a call, and we can help you find the perfect game for your office.

We are open Monday – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Categories
Air Hockey Darts Gifts Holidays Music Ping Pong Pool Shuffleboard

2018 Holiday Game Gift Guide

The holidays are here. Are you feeling the pressure to find the perfect gift? It can be increasingly difficult when shopping for a game lover with unique style. From the various styles of pool tables to choosing which size ping pong table will fit in your living room; each game provides a different type of experience.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite products online and in our showroom to help you on your shopping journey.

If you have specific questions, or you aren’t sure where to start, give the Games For Fun team a call at: (909)-885-3604. Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide will give you an easy start to your game shopping this holiday season:

 

Driftwood 56-inch Foosball Table

foseball

Foosball is a game that the whole family can enjoy together, requires only a few pieces, and can fit in any room you choose! These tables are great for indoors, as they don’t require any extra setup and are smaller than most game tables, allowing for more free space in your home.

Our premium-grade Driftwood 56-inch Foosball Table is the flagship of our entire Hathaway Games line of foosball tables. This stylish table has durable exterior melamine with a beautiful driftwood finish, so you can seamlessly fit this design into your decorated home. Each side of the table contains 2 drink holders, so you won’t have to stray too far for a beer while you’re in the middle of a game. Plus, this table is $200 off right now!

 

Harper Pool Table

pool table

If your special someone has a taste for the classics, you can never go wrong with a billiards table. It might not fit under the tree, but it will surely be the center of attention in any room! A pool table is a worthwhile investment, as it will be apart of your family’s memories for years to come.

The Harper Pool Table by Generations, our own original collection, features tastefully carved detail with its double arch cabinet, scalloped carved legs, and leather pockets; creating a beautiful design to incorporate into your home. This table is made from solid Aspen wood to for long lasting support. The unique design allows the frame and carved legs to flow into each other to create a beautiful piece of furniture with just enough detail to amp up any living space.

 

Carmelli Avenger Shuffleboard Table

pool table

While a pool or foosball table may be the first choice for most, the game of shuffleboard creates a unique type of gaming environment. From the pubs to your home game room, a shuffleboard table will provide a sleek, retro look in your home while giving your household an opportunity to unwind after work. This is the perfect gift for those who have an eye for modern gaming designs.

Our 9-foot Carmelli Avenger Shuffleboard Table is a gift nobody will stop appreciating. The beautiful black melamine cabinet style creates a beautiful, classic look for any home. The sturdy pedestal legs and adjustable levelers provide optimum stability and level play for players for all ages and levels. The Avenger features a slick, poly-coated playing surface to keep pucks sliding smoothly and padded gutters that reduce noise during play.

 

JOOLA Tour 2500 Indoor Table Tennis Table

pool table

Table Tennis is an action-packed game that brings the whole family together for come friendly competition. If you are looking for a gift for the adrenaline junkie in your life, look no further. Bring the exciting game of table tennis inside without sacrificing the aesthetic of your home with a sleek game table.

Our JOOLA Tour 2500 Indoor Table contains the optimal level of strength and thickness to help give each player a consistent bounce. A sleek frame and separable nesting halves make this table perfect for compact storage. This is table is a great way to start off holiday celebrations, as it comes 95% pre-assembled and is ready to play in just 15 minutes!

 

 

Dynamo Pro Style Air Hockey Table

pool table

When it comes to choosing a holiday gift to add to your game room, most of the time, an air hockey table doesn’t immediately come to mind. These game pieces are mostly known to be played in an arcade, but we know otherwise.

When you are investing in a Dynamo Pro Style Air Hockey Table, you are investing in quality. The home air hockey table is a unique, yet nostalgic piece that will bring you back to your arcade days. Spice up your game room with this commercial style table. It has all the toughness and time-tested durability of our widely-respected Dynamo Coin tables, but without the worry of having a roll of quarters to play.

 

Renegade Slate Bumper Pool Table

pool table

Finding a game that everyone in the household will enjoy and use can be almost impossible. When the kids are too small to participate in real-sized billiards, bumper pool will be their favorite choice. Our Renegade Slate Bumper Pool Table offers outstanding durability and value to any family. This table is much smaller than normal pool tables, allowing it to fit in smaller spaces.

The sturdy black cabinet includes rugged pedestal base legs with levelers to keep the table steady when the competition heats up. This pool table comes with everything you need for a quick round: two 48-inch cues, 10 bumper pool balls, a table brush and chalk.

 

 

Rock-Ola Gloss Black Music Center Jukebox

pool table

With our Rock-Ola Jukebox, finding a gift that your music lover will appreciate is simple! As classic retro piece, a jukebox can bring a warm and welcoming environment into your home. It can seamlessly fit into many interior styles, while keeping your guests entertained at your upcoming holiday party.

The Rock-Ola Gloss Black Music Center is the next generation in luxury music systems for the home. It is a full service music management system that allows you to load, organize, and play your CD music collection with a touch of your finger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With such a variety of game pieces to choose from, you can always find the perfect addition to your special someone’s game collection at Games For Fun. Stop by our showroom to see and experience all of our game tables in person, we would be happy to help you find the game that will stay in your family for years to come.

We offer flexible layaway plans, financing programs, price matching, and will ship your gorgeous new game piece to your home for free.

 

Get an amazing first look at what your future game room could look like!
Visit us at 895 W. Rialto Ave. San Bernardino, California 92410
Or give us a call at: (909)-885-3604

Categories
Air Hockey Darts Fun Ping Pong Pool Shuffleboard

Man Cave To Fan Cave: A Room For Your Favorite Team

Looking back on the days of our childhood, most of us could agree that our fondest memories include games – more specifically sports. Whether it was going to Saturday afternoon tee-ball games or listening to your dad scream at the television during Monday Night Football; sports bring out the competitive, yet territorial side out in all of us.

We all love being at the games, experiencing the action in person.  But hosting a party at home is a close second. While a majority of us would assume this happens in our living rooms, at Games For Fun, we think differently.

Perhaps you’ve considered the ultimate man cave for your home; but have you ever thought about taking it a step further and building a fan cave instead?  As the most modern way of decorating your extra space, a fan cave allows you to bring out your passion for the team you’ve loved since you were young.

Here’s the type of gear you’ll need to create the fan cave of your dreams:

For Your Pool Table

When transforming your room into a sports sanctuary, you’re going to need decor that seamlessly fits into what you already have. Your pool table is the perfect place to show loyalty to your team! If you can’t get your team’s mascot printed on the felt, don’t stress, we’ve got other ways to represent your team that are much less costly and time-consuming.

Instead of making permanent changes to your pool table, adding accessories with your team’s branding will give your table personality and flair. Switch out your set of balls or cues with school spirit! Are you a die-hard Alabama fan? Consider a maple cue stick covered in classic red and black fiberglass. Once you’re finished playing, cover it up with one of our NCAA Fan Shop pool table covers.

For Your Mini Bar

Save money and bring the sports bar into your room! With a bar in your game room, you’ll be avoiding the big crowds and angry rival fans. When your team is far away, there’s no better way to cheers to your team than at your themed mini bar. Showcasing your team pride is as simple as adding in bar stools and pub tables. Hosting a backyard BBQ during the Oklahoma State game? Bring out a couple stools and tables to complete the look; your guests will be nothing short of impressed (and a bit jealous).  

For Your Wall

If you have a more modest taste and would prefer not to overload your room with team spirit, wall decor is a great alternative. Without changing the items in your room, you can add memorabilia to your walls that will compliment your team’s style. But instead of having signed jerseys and photos, try something unique! Keepsakes like our dart cabinet is a perfect way to incorporate your team without being overly flashy. Next time you’re watching Auburn play, showcase your passion for the team during halftime while playing a round of darts from our dart cabinet.

You love your team, show them off the right way! Looking for decor that matches your school spirit? Check out our collection of NCAA Game Room products.

Categories
Air Hockey Darts Fun Music Ping Pong Pool Shuffleboard

Man Cave Must Haves

Everyone needs that space in their home where they can unwind after a long day at work. Whether this space is used to watch your favorite sports teams, or to have your closest friends over for some pool; your man cave gives you an escape from reality. Through your style and interests, you can create a room that is meant solely for leisure.  

When your buddies come over, you’re gonna want to make sure you have all the essentials to keep them entertained.

These are the must haves for every man cave:

Relaxing

You and your guests won’t enjoy the next football game standing up! In this room, the right furniture is just as important as your TV. You’re gonna need some comfortable seating for you and your guests. With a L-shaped couch, everyone will have room to spread out and still be close enough to reach for more chips and dip.  Along with a couch, having a few recliners will help spread out the seating. During an intense game, this will be needed!

You don’t need to limit yourself to just sitting by the TV. If you have enough room, adding some bar stools to your man cave game room is always a good idea. This will be especially helpful when you have a lot of people over. In our showroom, we have plenty of bar stools and chairs to get you started. 

Entertaining

Although we love watching sports games on the TV, sometimes sticking to the classics is necessary. A pool table is a staple item in most entertainment rooms and gives your guests a fun activity to do when there are no games on. In our showroom, we have a diverse selection of pool tables to choose from to match any man cave style. If you can’t make a trip to our store, check out what we have available online! We offer free shipping on all orders and will deliver it right to your door. 

Don’t have enough room to fit a pool table? A foosball table is the perfect alternative. This game is more fast paced, and is easy to set up in any type of room. Unlike pool, you don’t need to be an experienced player to get competitive in this game! 

Refreshing

What is a man cave without drinks? If your room is not near the kitchen, you’re going to need to make refreshments easily accessible. After all, this is the first place your guests will run to upon entering your game room. 

Although having a mini bar is ideal to most, some rooms just don’t have the space for it. If your room is limited on extra space, you are going to need somewhere to store those cold beers. In our showroom, we have products like a kegerator and a Coca Cola refrigerator to keep your drinks cold and ready to go for any game.

After a long day at work, nothing is better than coming home to a room full of your favorite things. Your man cave is the space in your house where you can kick up your feet and relax. This area is exclusively yours and you have the freedom to make it whatever you want.

Get your next must-have piece for your man cave in our showroom! We have a wide variety of products that will seamlessly fit into your favorite space. We are right off the 215 freeway in San Bernardino. Stop by any time Monday through Saturday between 9:00am-5:00pm.

Categories
Darts

There’s more than one way to throw a Dart

If you’ve only played darts recreationally, you might not know about the vast amount of games that you can play with a dart board. You may be “just trying to hit the bullseye” every time. Or maybe “just trying to even make it on the board and not the wall” every time. If you want to have more fun with your dartboard, maybe try a few of these games.

 

Around the World

The title gives away the point of the game but this game is great to play because it is so easy to understand. You start at the number one and can hit anywhere within that area. Once you hit that area, you move on to number two and so on. Straightforward concept but it does take some good aim. If you want to make it more challenging, you can utilize the double and triple rings where you only move forward if you hit one of these rings. Or the option of hitting the triple ring on number one then moves you forward to number 4. If you hit the triple ring on number 4, then you proceed to number 7 and so on.

 

Cricket

Another favorite game is Cricket. The idea behind cricket is to close out specific numbers by hitting them three times with either three singles, or a single and a double or a triple. The numbers in play are 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the inner and outer Bulls. Once you have closed off a number that your opponent has not yet hit, you can start to score points by hitting it. The numbers can be closed in any succession.

 

Aim to Win

Both of these games require that you have some pretty good aim! If you need to improve your aim it’s always good to find a sight line. Many people will use their fingers or the dart itself to create a sight line. Secondly, you will want to lead with your elbow. Overall, to get better at darts, you need to practice. If you’re going to improve your game at home, make sure to get your gear from us. We always have what you need to get your game on.
Categories
Darts

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

You’ve seen dart boards everywhere. In your favorite bar, in your best friend’s basement or the garage hang out that you had growing up. Almost everyone has picked up a dart and hoped that they would hit that bullseye. More likely than not your dart landed on the wall next to the dart board, but enough on that. Darts have a rich history. As best as we can tell, the practice of throwing “arrows” to hit specific targets started through archery. The miniaturized version of archery could be found in pubs all across Europe. But after World War 1 its popularity expanded. Leagues began to be formed and the American, Australian and New Zealand soldiers who had learned the game while overseas brought it home.

Fun Fact from the Professional Darts Players Association:

“The legality of darts (whether it was a game of chance (illegal) or skill (legal) was challenged in a Leeds court in 1908 when a publican, Jim Garside, was prosecuted for allowing darts to be played in his pub, the Adelphi Inn. Fortunately, Jim took along with him his best player William ‘Big Foot’ who by demonstrating the game so impressed the magistrates that the decision went in darts’ favour.” (source)

The appeal of darts is felt worldwide. Today, there are substantial yearly tournaments held to show the skill and mastership of its players. But with every good game, its premise is simple enough that anyone can play. Whether you are trying to see who can get a bullseye to the more sophisticated games of 301,501 or cricket; darts is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone. If you are looking for your own dartboard or darts, please check out what we can offer you in our store or on our online store. Feel the pleasure of becoming skilled at one of the oldest known games today!

Games For Fun